A double wishbone suspension system for an in-wheel electric motor comprises an upper arm having a first end pivotally coupled to an upper portion of a motor mounting plate and two spaced apart second ends, the upper arm second ends are respectively coupled to first and second suspension mounting points; a lower arm having a first end pivotally coupled to a lower portion of the mounting plate and two spaced apart second ends, the lower arm second ends are respectively coupled to third and fourth suspension mounting points; a first coupling member having a first end pivotally coupled between the lower arm first second ends and a first coupling member second end is pivotally coupled to a second coupling element first end, wherein a second coupling member second end is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate between the first ends of the upper and lower arms.

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.

An off-highway recreational vehicle having a longitudinal centerline includes a frame and a rear suspension. The rear suspension includes a left A-arm, wherein the left A-arm has a pivot axis, the pivot axis being on a right-hand side of the longitudinal centerline.

A suspension and drive mechanism for a steerable wheel of a vehicle, comprising a wheel support assembly supporting the wheel having a rolling axis and a wheel width defined by inner and outer wheel edges. Front and rear upper control arms coupled between a chassis and the wheel support assembly, and front and rear lower control arms between the chassis and the wheel support assembly. The front and rear upper control arms being coupled to the wheel support assembly above the rolling axis and inboard of the wheel inner edge, and front and rear lower control arms being coupled to the wheel support assembly below the rolling axis and inboard of the wheel inner edge. The control arms are angled so as to establish a virtual steering pivot axis for the wheel support assembly, the virtual steering pivot axis extending transverse of the rolling axis and located within the width of the wheel. The virtual steering pivot axis location varies according to a steering angle of the wheel support assembly as controlled by the steering arm. An electric drive unit arranged within the wheel for driving thereof, and at least one of the virtual pivots that lie on said virtual steering pivot axis lies within the volume occupied by the electric drive unit during at least one point in the steering travel of said wheel.

A suspension and drive mechanism for a steerable wheel of a vehicle, comprising a wheel support assembly supporting the wheel having a rolling axis and a wheel width defined by inner and outer wheel edges. Front and rear upper control arms coupled between a chassis and the wheel support assembly, and front and rear lower control arms between the chassis and the wheel support assembly. The front and rear upper control arms being coupled to the wheel support assembly above the rolling axis and inboard of the wheel inner edge, and front and rear lower control arms being coupled to the wheel support assembly below the rolling axis and inboard of the wheel inner edge. The control arms are angled so as to establish a virtual steering pivot axis for the wheel support assembly, the virtual steering pivot axis extending transverse of the rolling axis and located within the width of the wheel. The virtual steering pivot axis location varies according to a steering angle of the wheel support assembly as controlled by the steering arm. An electric drive unit arranged within the wheel for driving thereof, and at least one of the virtual pivots that lie on said virtual steering pivot axis lies within the volume occupied by the electric drive unit during at least one point in the steering travel of said wheel.

A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.

A link for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, and a corresponding wheel suspension for a wheel of a front axle of a motor vehicle. The link includes a link base with a bearing point on the vehicle body side. The bearing point on the vehicle body side is designed in the form of a bearing eye. The bearing eye is designed as a frangible member which breaks when a specified misuse load is exceeded.

A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.

A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.